Corrosion Resistance for Aerospace

Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.

ITAR-controlled receiving for aerospace coating
Reality

Corrosion Destroys Aerospace Components

Salt fog, fluids, and galvanic attack are constant threats

The challenge

Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.

The solution

ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.

Advantages

Why Cerakote for Aerospace Corrosion Protection

Molecular-level barrier across all aerospace substrates

4,000+ Hours Salt Spray Resistance

ASTM B117 verified. 4x to 10x the protection of anodizing. Molecular-level ceramic barrier blocks moisture, chemicals, and ionic attack on flight-critical hardware.

Multi-Substrate Protection

Single coating system protects aluminum, steel, titanium, and composites. Eliminates galvanic corrosion risk at dissimilar metal interfaces in mixed-material aerospace assemblies.

Chemical & Fluid Resistance

Resists hydraulic fluids (Skydrol), de-icing agents, cleaning solvents, and fuel exposure. Maintains barrier integrity through the chemical environments aerospace components encounter daily.

Thin-Film Precision at 0.5-2 Mils

Maintains critical tolerances on precision aerospace hardware. No dimensional rework after coating. Lighter than powder coating alternatives by 60-80%.

Specs

Corrosion Resistance Specifications

Process

How We Deliver Aerospace Corrosion Protection

AS9100 controlled from surface preparation through final verification

One

Substrate Analysis & Preparation

Alloy identification determines optimal preparation protocol. Controlled media blasting creates ideal adhesion profile. Ultrasonic cleaning removes contaminants. Critical surfaces masked per engineering requirements.

Sandblasting booth technician
Two

Ceramic Coating Application

Cerakote applied in controlled layers at specified thickness. Full coverage verified on complex aerospace geometries. DFT measurements confirm 0.5-2 mil specification on each component.

Spray application wide angle
Three

Cure, Test & Document

Temperature-controlled cure cycle. Post-cure adhesion testing (cross-hatch per ASTM D3359). Thickness verification. Certificate of Conformance with material traceability, test data, and lot documentation.

Thickness measurement
Evidence

Verified Corrosion Performance Data

All corrosion claims verified through independent ASTM B117 salt spray testing, not manufacturer assertions. Test data documented under AS9100 process controls.

Real-world protection

Cerakote-coated aerospace components maintain barrier integrity through salt fog, fluid exposure, and thermal cycling that destroys anodized and painted finishes in a fraction of the time.

4,000+

Hours salt spray resistance

9H

Pencil hardness rating

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Chemical pre-treatment for oil and gas
Weight Reduction for Oil and Gas

Weight Reduction for Oil and Gas Equipment

Thick coatings add mass to equipment transported to remote wellsites and offshore platforms. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.

Visual inspection magnification for medical devices
Weight Reduction for Medical Devices

Weight Reduction for Medical Device Components

Surgical instruments must be light enough for hours of precise use. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating without compromising protection. ISO 9001 certified.

Ultrasonic cleaning for maritime components
Weight Reduction for Maritime

Weight Reduction for Maritime Equipment

Heavy coatings add mass to marine hardware that affects vessel performance and handling. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.

Multi-part coating setup for industrial OEM
Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM

Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM Components

Thick coatings add unnecessary mass to engineered equipment. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils delivers 200-400g savings per part versus powder coating while preserving tolerances. ISO 9001 certified.

Certified and compliant for your industry

Protect Your Aerospace Components

Send your part details and corrosion requirements. We respond within 24 hours with approach and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities

How does Cerakote support lightweight additive manufacturing design intent?

Additive manufacturing enables topology optimization and lattice structures specifically to minimize weight. Applying 4-6 mils of powder coating negates some of that design intent. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils adds negligible mass while providing 3,000 hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117), 4,000 abrasion cycles per mil (ASTM D4060), and a production-grade surface finish. The coating protects the part without undermining the engineering rationale for printing it.

How does ColoradoKote support aerospace refurbishment cycles?

Cerakote's 3,000-hour salt spray performance and 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance significantly extend the interval between refurbishment cycles on cabin interiors and high-touch components. Thinner film builds of 0.5 to 2 mils versus 4 to 6 mils for powder coat preserve critical tolerances on seat mechanisms and galley hardware. Longer part life means fewer removals, less downtime, and lower lifecycle cost for fleet operators.

Can you post-process defense AM components under ITAR?

Yes. All additive manufacturing post-processing for defense applications is performed within our ITAR-registered facility under controlled access. The same 40-60 PSI blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, and Cerakote application process applies, with the additional security controls required for defense technical data and components. Documentation meets both AS9100 and defense-specific quality requirements for full traceability of ITAR-controlled AM parts.

Can you post-process AM flow control components for oil and gas service?

Yes. AM-produced flow restrictors, choke components, and valve trim with complex internal geometries receive our full post-processing sequence. Low-pressure blasting at 40-60 PSI smooths internal flow paths without altering critical flow dimensions. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils provides corrosion and erosion protection on flow surfaces exposed to abrasive production fluids. Coating thickness is documented and accounted for in the flow path design to maintain hydraulic performance specifications.

Does ColoradoKote offer MIL-DTL-5541 chemical conversion coating for defense aluminum parts?

We hold full capability for MIL-DTL-5541 Type I and Type II chemical conversion coating on defense aluminum components. Type I provides 168-240+ hours of salt spray resistance (ASTM B117), meeting the corrosion requirements for fielded military hardware. Our facility has processed over 20,000 parts with zero quality issues, including work spec-proven for major aerospace OEMs.